Missoula airport guide

Missoula Montana Airport (MSO)

Security wait right now, how busy MSO is today, how early to arrive, drop-off and parking, delays and nearby airports.

Estimated TSA wait nowShort
5–15 min
Standard lane · MSO ·
Quietest today
12 PM–2 PM
5–15 min
Busiest today
7 AM–9 AM
10–25 min
Arrive
2 h / 3 h
domestic / international

Modeled from FAA passenger volumes, TSA's daily screening numbers, time of day and current airport conditions; refreshed every 15 minutes, not a checkpoint sensor. How we estimate

Right now

How busy is MSO airport right now?

Right now the standard security line at Missoula Montana Airport is short: about 5–15 min (updated 2:02 PM MDT). In the next 12 hours it should peak around 4 PM (10–20 min) and be lightest around 9 PM (5–10 min).

Missoula Montana Airport is a smaller regional airport. Current conditions:

  • Airport operationsMinor
  • DelaysNo FAA delay programs
  • Weather nowPatchy Fog, 37°F
  • LocationMissoula, MT
  • Passengers / year387,976
  • U.S. rank#138 of 501
  • CodesMSO · KMSO

MSO TSA wait times: hourly forecast & PreCheck →

Security wait, next 12 hours

0102030minNOW4PM6PM8PM10PM12AM
Show as table
HourEstimated waitLine
2 PM5–15 minShort
3 PM5–15 minShort
4 PM10–20 minShort
5 PM10–20 minShort
6 PM5–20 minShort
7 PM5–15 minShort
8 PM5–15 minShort
9 PM5–10 minShort
10 PM5–10 minShort
11 PM5–10 minShort
12 AM5–10 minShort
1 AM5–10 minShort
FAA status

MSO airport delays today

No FAA ground stops, ground delay programs or closures at MSO right now (checked 2:02 PM MDT).

Weather at MSO: Patchy Fog, 37°F, slightly reduced visibility or lower clouds (MVFR).

The FAA lists airport-wide programs only. A single late or cancelled flight is shown by your airline, so check its app as well. Delays at all U.S. airports →

Calculator

How early to get to MSO

Airlines recommend 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Enter your flight to see when to be at Missoula and when to leave home, based on today's security estimate.

How early to arrive at MSO
TripArrive before departure
Domestic, carry-on only1 h 30 min – 2 h
Domestic, checked bag2 h
International3 h
Flying 7 AM–9 AMadd 15–30 min
Arrive at MSO by —Enter your flight time to calculate.

Uses today's estimated security wait at the hour you will be in line, the walk to your gate, bag-drop time and boarding (30 min domestic, 45 min international). Airlines still recommend 2 h / 3 h.

Getting there

Getting to MSO: drop-off, pick-up and parking

Missoula Montana Airport is in Missoula, MT. For drop-off, follow the Departures signs to your airline's curb; curbside stopping is for active loading only, and pick-ups are usually directed to the arrivals curb or the cell-phone lot. At the busiest hours today (7 AM–9 AM) add time for curb and garage traffic.

Parking rates, cell-phone lot and shuttle details are on the official MSO website.

Directions to MSO →

Loads Google Maps

MSO airport FAQ

How long is the TSA line at MSO right now?

The current estimate for the standard security lane at Missoula Montana Airport is 5–15 min (updated 2:02 PM MDT). It refreshes every 15 minutes; follow airport signs and staff if the line in front of you looks different.

Are there delays at MSO today?

The FAA reports no ground stops or ground delay programs at MSO as of 2:02 PM MDT. Individual flights can still be late, so check your airline's app.

Is MSO airport open right now?

The FAA reports no closure at MSO as of 2:02 PM MDT. For weather or security emergencies, check the official MSO website.

How busy is MSO airport today?

Today (Saturday) MSO security is expected to be busiest 7 AM–9 AM (10–25 min) and quietest 12 PM–2 PM (5–15 min).

What time does TSA open at MSO?

Security checkpoints at Missoula Montana Airport open before the first morning departures, which at most U.S. airports means around 4–5 AM (earlier at some large hubs). Hours differ by checkpoint and terminal, so for a very early flight confirm on the official MSO website.

Where do I drop off passengers at MSO?

Follow the Departures signs to the upper or departures-level curb for your airline. Curbside stopping is for active loading only; at peak hours (7 AM–9 AM) allow extra time for curb traffic. Cell-phone lots and parking rates are listed on the official MSO website.

Is TSA PreCheck open at MSO?

PreCheck lanes usually run during the main morning-to-evening operating hours but can open later and close earlier than standard lanes, and not every checkpoint has one. Outside those hours PreCheck travelers are screened in the standard lane, so plan for the standard wait.

How early should I get to MSO?

Airlines and TSA recommend 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one. At the busiest hour today the MSO security line alone can reach 25 minutes; use the calculator on this page for your flight time.

Are these live MSO TSA wait times?

They are modeled estimates refreshed every 15 minutes, not a camera or sensor count at the checkpoint. They combine FAA passenger volume, TSA's daily national screening numbers, the hour, weekday, holiday periods and current FAA and weather conditions.

Where can I see the hour-by-hour MSO security forecast?

The MSO TSA wait times page has today's hourly chart, the weekly heatmap and PreCheck details.